The Irish Blood Transfusions Service has just three days’ supply of certain blood groups, according to the IBTS director.

Paul McKinney, Director of Operations at the IBTS, told Morning Ireland that normally there should be seven days’ worth.

“Our major blood groups, O-, O+ and A+, are three days under. We try to keep a stock level of seven days, but we are at a low level and that’s why we’re making an appeal today for donors to come to our clinics over the next three weeks.”

“We need 1,500 additional donations over the next three weeks to maintain supply to hospitals,” he added.

Attendance at donation centres has dropped by 6pc over the last six weeks, and donations are down 21pc overall compared to 10 years ago.

The average age of donors has increased from 38 to 41 as McKinney says they need to reach more young people.

IBTS have asked that anyone considering donating take their eligibility quiz on giveblood.ie to save on queuing.

To find out the location of your nearest clinic and its open hours, call the donor hotline on 1800 731 137 or go to giveblood.ie.